THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION HAS AMENDED THE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK RULES 1994 TO SET UP A THREE TIER GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR VIEWER.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently, by way of notification in the official gazette has amended the Cable Television Network Rules 1994 to provide a three-layer mechanism for grievance redressal of viewers. Now viewers will have a grievance redressal related to any content broadcasted on television channels in contravention to the advertising code or programme code. 
The present rules for the regulation of broadcast content provide for:

1. Level 1: Self-regulation by Broadcaster - 

Any viewer aggrieved by the content of a programme on any channel can file his complaint in writing to the broadcaster. The broadcaster is bound to issue an acknowledgement of the complaint within 24 hours and dispose of the complaint within 15 days. Every broadcaster is expected to form a complaint redressal mechanism and an officer to deal with the complaints.

2. Level 2: Self Regulation by Broadcaster’s Self Regulating Bodies - 
If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome or if the grievance is not solved, the complainant can file an appeal within 15 days to the self-regulating body wherein the broadcaster is a member. The concerned body should dispose of the appeal within 60 days. The self-regulating body should have a minimum of 40 broadcasters and register itself with the central government within 30 days.
The self-regulating body will be headed by a retired Supreme Court or High 
Court judge or any other eminent person from the field of media, child rights, 
entertainment etc. The body will also have six independent experts in the mentioned fields.

 
3. Level 3: Oversight Mechanism: 

Lastly, if the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, she/he can file an appeal within 15 days before the central government under the oversight mechanism. 
If the broadcaster fails to comply with the guidelines of the self-regulating 
authority, the matter will be heard by the oversight mechanism within 15 days.